This past March, Central Park Place was proud to serve as the venue sponsor for the 2025 Lakeshore JA Girls’ Dream Fair: A STEM Experience. This powerful, purpose-driven event’s goal is to inspire middle school girls to explore different career pathways, including jobs in science and STEM. Organized by Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, the event brought together over 50 students for a day of leadership education, hands-on learning, real-world career insights, and mentorship from local professionals.
Research shows that many girls begin ruling out STEM career paths in middle school, which is why this event focuses on reaching them early – with encouragement, representation, and opportunities to explore.
The day kicked off with an empowering welcome from Ellen Bacca, Chief Meteorologist at WOOD TV8. It was followed by keynotes from trailblazing women: Allison Paradise, Founder and CEO of The Epicenter; Morgan Abbott, Design Engineer at DISHER; and Rebecca Lamper, AVP at Michigan First Credit Union. These female professionals shared their career journeys and insights, setting the stage for breakout sessions with local JA volunteers, a hands-on STEM experiment where they isolated their DNA, and a career fair featuring seven local vendors, including:
- The Avalune Group
- DISHER
- Fifth Third Bank
- Haworth
- ITW Drawform
- Michigan First Credit Union
- MiSTEM Network Greater West Michigan Region 8
Event Impact
97% of attendees said they would recommend the event to others.
87% said it inspired them to set future goals.
Over 50% expressed new interest in a STEM career.
80% said the speakers and volunteers left a positive impact.
“Thank you for being the Venue Sponsor for this year’s JA Girls’ Dream Fair! We truly appreciate your contribution to making this event a success,” shared Kylie Lopo, Marketing Coordinator for Junior Achievement.
Events like this highlight our local community center’s vital role in supporting youth development and fostering future leadership. Central Park Place is honored to provide an inclusive space to inspire future women business leaders!
Tour Central Park Place
We would love to have you experience the Central Park Place difference firsthand. Please schedule a tour of our facilities to see how our amenities and services can elevate your next business event. Let us help you create lasting connections within our Lakeshore community. Thank you for considering Central Park Place. We look forward to meeting you soon!
